Billy Blanks
Acting
Muscular African American sports star, actor, media identity and inventor of the phenomenally popular "Tae Bo" fitness system, derived from his extensive martial arts training. Blanks was born in Eerie, Pennsylvania in 1955 amongst humble backgrounds and grew up as one of 15 children, battling dyslexia and tendon problems. However that didn't stop him from starting his martial arts training at age 14 and eventually achieving black belts in tae kwon do & several other arts, and winning numerous US martial arts tournaments. Blanks first popped up on movie screens in the mid 1980s in tough guy parts utilizing his athletic background and grim faced looks. Films roles included Tango & Cash (1989), Driving Force (1989) and A.W.O.L.: Absent Without Leave (1990). Things looked up in 1991, when Blanks scored the minor role of drug addicted running back "Billy Cole" in the explosive The Last Boy Scout (1991)....and further work followed often sharing lead billing in low budget - high action fare such as Talons of the Eagle (1992), TC 2000 (1993) and Expect No Mercy (1995). In the late 1990s, Billy's innovative and exciting "Tae Bo" workout routine swept around the world like wildfire, and propelled him into the position of one of the world's most recognizable and biggest selling fitness trainers. The remarkable Blanks continues to refine and promote his unique "Tae Bo" fitness system, and he operates the Billy Blanks World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, California. 7th Degree Black Belt Billy Blanks had one of the greatest karate fight records in the sport's long history. Blanks was a 7-time world karate champion, the first Amateur Athletic Union Champ in 1975, the 1984 Massachusetts Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, and the Tri-State Golden Gloves Champion of Champions. He was the captain of the United States Karate Team and won over 30 gold medals in international competition. He was the number 1 or number 2 rated full-contact karate fighter in the United States for almost seven straight years. His epic battles with "Nasty" Anderson are legends among martial arts fans. He posted over 300 career victories. In 1982, Billy Blanks was honored by being inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame.
Known for
Acting82
movieAmerican Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures
2024
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Last Kumite
2024
Master Loren
movieThe Clapper
2018
Billy Blanks
movieAlmost Amazing
2017
Mr. Wilson
movieDark Moon Rising
2015
Sheriff Tom
movieBilly Blanks Tae Bo Express
2012
Instructor
movieJack and Jill
2011
Billy Blanks
movieBilly Blanks: Ultimate Tae Bo
2007
Billy Blanks
movieBilly Blanks - Tae Bo: Strength Power
2004
Billy Blanks
tvThe Fairly OddParents
2001
Billy Blanks (voice)
tvV.I.P.
1998
Self
tvMartial Law
1998
Travis King
movieKiss the Girls
1997
Instructor
tvSabrina, the Teenage Witch
1996
Billy Blanks
movieExpect No Mercy
1995
Justin Vanier
movieTough and Deadly
1995
John Portland
tvER
1994
Tae-Bo Instructor
movieShowdown
1993
Billy Grant
movieTC 2000
1993
Jason Storm
movieInvincible
1992
Billy
movieTalons of the Eagle
1992
Tyler Wilson
movieThe Master
1992
Hawks Gang Member
movieThe Last Boy Scout
1991
Billy Cole
movieTimebomb
1991
Mr. Brown
movieLionheart
1990
African Legionnaire
movieChina O'Brien II
1990
Baskin's Fighter #1 (uncredited)
movieTango & Cash
1989
Prison Thug (uncredited)
movieBloodfist
1989
Black Rose
movieLow Blow
1986
Guard
movieDevotion
Billy Blanks
Crew2
movieKazaam
1996
Stunts